366 Days...

I mentioned in my previous post that I want to capture every day of this year with a photo. My blog has finally gone live (I've been checking every few hours for days!!) and you can check it out if you are so inclined, just over here...

I do not profess to be a fantastic photographer or even a very good photographer, but I do want to spend more time paying attention each day this year and I want to capture just a little more of everything.

Taking photos got me thinking. Of the 366 days that will make up 2012, we have already expereinced almost 3 of them. Time moves on, whether we like it or not, and sometimes it is hard to remember that our days on earth are fleeting. We need to make them count.

As part of my goals for 2012, I have been spending 45mins-1hour in 'quiet time', reading the bible and reflecting on God's Word each day, for 5 days in a row.  I'm using a little pocket calendar and some stickers to mark each day. The study I am currently working on (which I started ... ahem... months ago...) is called "Cultivating Contentment" by Luci Swindoll. It looked a bit light on, a little kitchshy for my liking (I like my Bible study aides to look serious and studious you know!), but it was the right price ($5 in the bargain bin) so I grabbed it.

I have been enjoying the study, flicking around into passages I haven't delved into much before or rediscovering long-forgotten passages. It's not the kind of study I enjoy long term, but its nice for something different and in the name of thriftiness, its nice to actually get use out of something I already own!

The topic is holding me - contentment is something I have always struggled with, always wanting something more, the next step, looking ahead and making plans, complaining about where I am at right now. Its good to be reminded that my everything comes from God and that its only in Him that I can find my true contentment.

The study has helped me to focus on three areas I have been struggling in over the last few months;

• Gossip - comparing and putting others down usually comes from a place in me that is disatisfied with my own circumstances or a need to feel more important or superior. I've been reminded to 'button up' and say nothing if i can't say something nice! 
• Swearing - its something I never used to do, and never do at church or around certain friends - so its controable, but I have been swearing consistently at work and with my family (which is awful - these should be the areas I'm keeping clean!). Again I've been reminded to 'button up'.
• Gratitude - I have so much. I have been blessed. I am being blessed everyday. I just need to concentrate on it to see it sometimes. I have returned to writing consistently in my gratitude journal and instead of making each day count, I am counting each day!

Sometimes it just takes the right tools for us to open up to God's Word and spend time in it.
What helps you to focus on the word? What is God teaching you right now?